In a season which has seen the No. 1 national ranking become a subject of some dispute, the North Central College men's cross country team has solidified its position as the country's top-ranked squad ahead of next week's regional championships. The most recent United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division III National Top 35 Poll, released Wednesday, has the Cardinals at the top with seven of the eight first-place votes.